The Earsdon Sword Dance

The Rapper Sword Dance

The dance was originally performed by miners in the pit villages of the North East. It is now danced all around the world. It is performed at speed by a team of five people linked together by flexible swords, called rappers, which are woven in and out of figures for display. The swords are generally about two feet in length and have a fixed handle at one end and a swivel handle at the other - both wooden. The dancers step vigorously between and during the displaying of figures. The dancers are often accompanied by one or more comic characters, usually Tommy and Betty, who introduce the dance and collect the money. Rapper dancing has evolved over two hundred years or so from much older traditions.

The dance is intended to be performed indoors, specifically in the pub. Rival teams would dance to collect money perhaps to support the families of those injured in the pits or those impoverished by strikes and lockouts, or sometimes for beer money. The dance has always had a competitive element. Historically, teams from neighbouring and rival collieries would compete to produce the most intricate and complex figures, and many rapper competitions have been held in the rapper heartland of Northumbria and Durham. Rapper dance was very popular in the period between the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars, with fierce competition between villages, and even performances in the Albert Hall in London. One team, Westerhope, was even offered a touring contract in the USA.

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